Communications Officer
UK Space Agency
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 12th May 2024
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About the job
Job summary
Background: The UK Space Agency
The UK Space Agency (UKSA) is an executive agency of the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT) and provides technical advice on the government’s space strategy, supporting the UK space sector to deliver the government’s vision.
Space is a part of everyday life. Satellites underpin our national economy, from agriculture and banking to aviation and shipping, and support our national security. Space science provides critical data to understand and address global challenges such as climate change, while missions to explore our solar system unite nations and advance humanity’s horizons.
We support a thriving space sector in the UK, which generates an annual income of £16.5 billion and employs 47,000 people across the country.
Through our portfolio of programmes and projects, we encourage the development of national space capabilities and are an early-stage investor in space research and development. We also promote the UK space sector’s interests and achievements; make connections to join up industry and academia; and represent the UK in international space programmes.
We have a powerful global voice, partnering with institutions across the world, including the European Space Agency.
More information about the Agency is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-space-agency
To discover more please watch this film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbZZ-o0IkVU
Our Inclusive Environment
We have an inclusive culture to make UK Space Agency a brilliant place to work where our people feel valued, have a voice and can be their authentic selves. We value difference and diversity, not only because we believe it is the right thing to do, but because it will help us be more innovative and make better decisions.
We offer first-class flexible working benefits, excellent employee well-being support and a great pension. We are fortunate to have a range of excellent staff networks and are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We will support talented people from all backgrounds to build a career and thrive.
We actively welcome applications from anyone who shares our commitment to inclusion.
Job description
This is an exciting opportunity for a media or communications professional to join a dynamic team to promote the government’s vision for the UK space sector and the UK Space Agency’s role in delivering it.
You will be engaging regularly with journalists from national and international news outlets, and build relationships with them to effectively manage proactive and reactive communications opportunities, and strengthen the Agency’s impact through media engagement.
You will play an active role in generating news stories and presenting our work in a clear and relatable style. This will involve working with a wide range of people and teams within the Agency and with our partners, providing considered advice about communications handling.
You will support the Communications Manager and Chief Communications Officer in delivering the UK Space Agency’s Communications Plan, using media relations to deliver key objectives and working with colleagues across other communications disciplines including Digital and External Affairs.
Key responsibilities
- Managing inbound calls and emails from journalists, drafting and clearing responses and providing a professional service that supports informed reporting on the UK space sector and builds the reputation of the Agency.
- Identifying potential news stories from across the organisation and developing media handling plans for announcements and project milestones, working closely with relevant teams to draft press releases and briefing materials.
- Identifying potential communications risks and providing effective communications advice to mitigate them.
- Contributing to the Agency’s Communications and Engagement strategy, ensuring that media activity supports key priorities and reaches target audiences.
- Evaluation communications activity and contributing key insights and recommended improvements into planning processes.
- Keeping abreast of developing media trends to improve, enhance and protect the Agency’s reputation.
- Building and managing relationships with journalists, producers, and editors across the media landscape.
- Building and managing relationships with key stakeholders, including counterparts in industry and academia, as well as across government.
Person specification
Essential criteria
- Ability to work under pressure– while also maintaining sound news judgement.
- Confidence to provide clear and trusted advice to teams across the organisation, including senior officials.
- A good understanding of the media landscape and what makes a good story.
- The ability to build constructive relationships with journalists and key stakeholders.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to write clearly and concisely, to explain complex topics to specific audience groups.
- Experience of media handling, including selling in stories to broadcast, print and online media.
- Knowledge of industry developments through professional networks.
- Knowledge of digital channels including social media platforms.
- Knowledge of media monitoring and distribution software.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- GCS - Ideas - Press and Media
Benefits
UK Space Agency offers a competitive mix of benefits including:
A culture of flexible working, such as job sharing, homeworking and compressed hours.
Automatic enrolment into the Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30.
An extensive range of learning & professional development opportunities, which all staff are actively encouraged to pursue.
Access to a range of retail, travel, and lifestyle employee discounts.
A generous maternity/paternity and adoption leave package.
This job role may be suitable for hybrid working, which is an informal, non-contractual and voluntary arrangement, blending a balance of attendance in the workplace (your permanent duty station which is based on business assessment of where the work is best done) and working from home, or elsewhere, as a personal choice (if the role is suitable for this). If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.
The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e., level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
UK Space Agency is undergoing a transformation programme which may impact your role, line manager and/or location in the future. We will share more details with you as they become known.
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV, Behaviour examples and Technical skills example. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
The CV is for information and will not be scored.
The Sift will be assessed on Behaviours and Technical Skills.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour Communicating and Influencing. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
The Interview will be assessed on Behaviours and Technical Skills.
Sift and interview dates
Expected timeline subject to change
Sift date from 15th May 2024
Interview date w/c 27th May 2024
The Interview location will be MS Teams
Candidates are asked to note the above timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process.
Further information
This post is advertised as a Fixed Term contract for a period up to 31st March 2025.
Civil Servants:
Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return. Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs).
UK Space Agency Employees:
You must seek approval from your substantive manager before applying for any non-permanent vacancy, this includes applying for a new post during an existing temporary posting. Please note that if applying for a temporary post within UK Space Agency or elsewhere on promotion, successful appointment will not automatically result in a permanent promotion - you will revert to your current substantive grade at the end of the Fixed Term or Loan period (unless funding has been approved to make the post permanent).
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
- Contact Government Recruitment Service via uksarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
- Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe carried out.
Any move to UK Space Agency from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/
A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service / Disclosure Scotland on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-Employment.Checks@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Chris Noble
- Email : chris.noble@ukspaceagency.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : uksarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
